Jackson, MI—When photo industry veterans Scott Bourne and Skip Cohen started working to develop a new association for professional photographers at the end of last year, they were looking for something different. The association, Professional Wedding & Studio Photographers International (PWSPI), is literally building support for aspiring and working professionals brick by brick.
“Depending on who’s doing the counting, it’s estimated there are 500,000 – 700,000 people in the United States who consider themselves professional photographers. Yet, less than 5 percent belong to any association,” said Cohen. “Obviously, not everyone believes they can get the help they need from the existing entities.”
Bourne and Cohen are now launching what they believe is an industry first: every PWSPI member, both new and existing, will receive free marketing support from the two founders of the association themselves.
“Between us, we have 75 years of experience in this industry. We won’t always have all the answers, but our mutual networks do! Every member will have the opportunity for one of us to review their site, blog, marketing materials or business plan, just to name a few of the opportunities,” said Bourne.
The details of this new program are available at the PWSPI site, which is now part of PMA International. In an agreement reached last December, Bourne and Cohen will continue to promote and build the association on behalf of PMA, while PMA will utilize its database expertise and benefit programs to help the PWSPI membership.
In order to take advantage of the free marketing support from the two founders of PWSPI, photographers must have obtained membership in the association and then can simply e-mail their contact information, specifically where they’d like to be called, to PWSPImembership@pmai.org. Bourne and Cohen will then schedule a time for a conversation. Every member is entitled to one free telephone consulting conversation.
“We’ve been working with PMA to develop stronger benefits along with our database management. Now, we’re ready to really develop a system to help professional photographers elevate their skill sets, especially in marketing and business,” added Bourne. pwspi.com
